Wild Hope Farm

Last Updated On: octubre 27th, 2022 at 02:34PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
575 Wild Hope Farm Rd
Chester, South Carolina, 29706

Primary Contact: Katherine Belk
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 7047701531
    Email: katherine@wildhopefarm.com

Website: https://wildhopefarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Wild Hope Farm is a certified organic farm in Chester, SC, specializing in vegetable and flower production. The 220 acre property consists of 12 acres in cultivation, greenhouses, walking trails, a 10-acre pond, and diversified natural areas. Our produce is sold through a 300-400 person CSA farm share, to local food hubs and chefs, and at two farmers markets in the greater Charlotte area (Uptown and Matthews Farmers Markets). We also host complementary on-farm events including retreats, farm-to-table dinners, and educational workshops to cultivate community and encourage people to learn about our farming practices. We are seeking people with a passion for diversified organic vegetable production. All farm employees are integral members of our 10-15 member team at Wild Hope Farm. Over the course of the season, you will be exposed to all aspects of our farm and deepen your knowledge of our regenerative organic farming methods including: CSA planning, produce harvest and post-harvest techniques, transplanting, cultivation, cover cropping, flower production, soil health improvement strategies, customer interfacing and small farm marketing. During your time at Wild Hope Farm, you will work directly under our Crew & Harvest Manager, Mary Stone.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: 04/01/2023
Internship Ends: 11/20/2023
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: 3/28/2023
Minimum Length of Stay: 7-9 months

Internship Details:

Crew members will mainly participate in harvest, wash and pack for CSA and markets throughout the season. Additional crew tasks will include transplanting, hoeing, hand weeding, greenhouse seeding, bin washing, trellising and flower harvesting. Other activities could include weed whacking, mowing, basic drip irrigation setup and removal, sheet mulching and various farm or property maintenance tasks. Crew members are expected to maintain focus and mental engagement in the task at hand

MARKET RESPONSIBILITIES
With an expanding CSA program and busy market booth, the farmers markets are significant sales channels for the farm. The farmers market crew member is responsible for all aspects of running our booth at the farmers market booth late April through November.
– Assist in planning, preparing and packing for the Farmers Market on Fridays
– Driving the truck and trailer or cargo van to Market every Saturday
– Set-up and break-down of the market booth on Saturday
– Record keeping of market sales using the Square App
– Ability (and confidence) to learn how to drive a truck and refrigerated trailer
– Saturday market recap emails

Educational Opportunities: Our seasonal crew members will have a hands-on working experience designed to move dedicated employees towards farm management. We accept people from all backgrounds who want to explore agriculture as a career option. Apprenticeship Goals/Evaluation: As part of our program orientation, apprentices are encouraged to identify in writing what they hope to accomplish from their apprenticeship. After three to four weeks we will meet with each apprentice to help with the development of realistic goals and to confirm our mutual (farmer and apprentice) expectations for learning. This document will be revisited for periodic evaluation and reviewed in detail in early summer. We will make every effort to tailor each experience to the expressed needs of each participant. Daily Meeting: The farm crew convenes every morning to clarify the day's program and make alterations due to the weather and other events. Orientation: During the first week we will conduct an orientation to go over safety policies, farm policies, and the location and names of buildings and equipment. We will review the farm calendar, begin to set vacation times, go over job responsibilities (household, animals, greenhouse, distribution, etc.) and start figuring out how to live in community together. Study Materials: All apprentices have access to written learning materials to increase their understanding of Wild Hope Farm in particular and farming in general. These materials include crop plans, seed orders, planting schedules, maps, overall farm plans, and supporting information. In addition there is a small farm library from which apprentices are welcome to borrow books.

Skills Desired: Previous experience working on a farm is a plus!

Meals: No

Stipend: $12/hr, 5 days paid vacation, 5 paid sick days, 2 personal days, $30-50 in vegetables and eggs each week

Housing: Yes

Preferred method of Contact: katherine@wildhopefarm.com